When De Warenne approached, the regent took off
his helmet; the Southron had already his in his hand. "Farewell,
gallant Scot," said he, "if aught could imbitter this moment of
recovered freedom, it is that I leave a man I so revere, still
confident in a finally hopeless cause!"
"It would not be the less just were it indeed desparate," replied
Wallace; "but had not Heaven shown on which side it fought, I should
not now have the honor of thus bidding the brave De Warenne farewell."
The earl passed on, and the other lords, with grateful and respectful
looks, paid their obeisance. The litter of Montgomery drew near-the
curtains were thrown open-Wallace stretched out his hand to him: "The
prayers of sainted innocence are thine!"
"Never more shall her angel spirit behold me here, as you now behold
me," returned Montgomery; "I must be a traitor to virtue, before I ever
again bear arms against Sir William Wallace!"
Wallace pressed his hand, and they parted.
The escort which guarded De Valence advanced; and the proud earl,
seeing where his enemy stood, took off his gauntlet, and throwing it
fiercely toward him, exclaimed, "Carry that to your minion Ruthven, and
tell him the hand that wore it will yet be tremendously revenged!"
As the Southron ranks filed off toward Carlisle, those of the returning
Scottish prisoners approached their deliverer.
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